Today I am going to be off crafting topic and just rambling on with life topics. One of the things I try to be conscious of, is to acknowledge peoples importance in my life daily. In the moment. Right now. I don’t want to save my words and thoughts for their funeral, for kind words to write in a sympathy card. I want to be able to tell them while they are alive, and acknowledge the importance or difference they’ve made in my life.
It can be something so trivial that they weren’t even aware of it, but at that minute, that hour, that day, that moment in time… it made an impact on me. It could be words, a letter, a card, a hug, or a look. A simple kindness, or an incredible huge generous gift.
Life can change in a moment. Be forever altered in just a few short seconds. Illness, accidents, life circumstances, death. Things happen, often unplanned, unwanted, and it may be too late tomorrow to say what needs to be said.
I’ve had minor surgery on both knees this month. Two weeks after doing the left one, I went in to get the right one worked on. Much like children, the second one was a bit more troublesome. Even though its been healing up just fine, it is taking longer and requiring more patience. ( I did tell you that it was just like children, right?). After getting the little stitches out on Monday, I made my first, painfully slow, hobbling little walk outdoors on a very flat, smooth, packed snow trail. My new FitBit said it took me 40 minutes to do 1/2 a miles or so, if that gives you an idea of my pace. Going slowly gives you time to enjoy the sunshine on your face, smell the crisp clean air, hear the birds, or the tiny breeze in the trees. The crunch of your boots on the snow- to admire all the different boot and snowshoe treads ahead of you. I told someone that I was out happifying myself. My soul so needed that tiny bit of outdoor time. Time to just be outside, walking.
Yesterday was another beautiful day, so out I went to enjoy it. Another small walk on a snow covered path, about 1.5 miles total this time. It seemed 10x longer, but I made it. This time, our hearts were a bit heavier, as we were both thinking of the pain and loss that an extended family member is suffering. Her husband had been killed suddenly and instantly in an auto accident the afternoon before. No chance to try and prepare, no last goodbyes, just her heart being ripped to pieces. Not quite high school sweethearts, but the only man she had ever loved. They have two grown children; how quickly and suddenly their world has been turned upside down.
Another reminder that you have to live today. Do it today. Say it today. Hug them today. Love them today. Go see, go do, go eat, go talk, go try. Go live- today.